Ring Rail Line’s 10th anniversary – how new areas have developed along the tracks

Over the past decade, the Ring Rail Line has been highly significant for the city. Not only has it made traveling around the city smoother, but it has also guided Vantaa’s urban development. The railway has attracted new construction, residents and jobs to the city.

In addition to the growth of the existing station regions, five new train stations were opened in Vantaa along the Ring Rail Line: Vehkala, Kivistö, Aviapolis, Airport and Leinelä. Over the past ten years, vital and unique residential and workplace areas have been built around the new stations. 

Vehkala

The Vehkala station was originally built in the middle of a forest, but its location near Ring Road III and Hämeenlinnanväylä made it attractive. The decision to build the station was based on the area’s potential: an active workplace area could well be built in the aircraft noise area and alongside the travel connections.

Nowadays, Vehkala is a diverse workplace hub where industry, innovations and education come together. The area is home to a wide variety of companies, and Vantaa Vocational College Varia’s new campus brings thousands of students and employees to the area every day. Vehkala continues to be actively expanded, and the area’s development is going strong. 

Kivistö

The Kivistö train connection was being planned as early as the 1960s. After many twists and turns, these dreams were realized with the Ring Rail Line. Before the start of the track work, Kivistö was a forested housing area dominated by small houses, the memory of which now lives on in the Old Kivistö residential area. The Ring Rail Line brought growth along with it, and the forested area gradually transformed into a new, urban city center.

The center of Kivistö was built quickly thanks to the good economic situation and Vantaa’s Housing Fair. Topaasiaukio and its tall houses were developed around the Kivistö station, and Kivis shopping center, which opened near the station, responds to the service needs of the locals. There are plenty of plans for the future, as Kivistö continues to grow along with the development of the event arena and Keimola area. 

Aviapolis

The Aviapolis underground station is the gateway to Vantaa’s largest workplace area. The role of Aviapolis as a center for international business is, in part, thanks to the direct connection to the airport.

The close proximity of the airport is one of the area’s biggest advantages, but thanks to the Ring Rail Line and Vantaa light rail, future growth depends on good rail connections.

The Aviapolis airport city is developing around the train station and in accordance with the light rail route. An upper secondary school, the New Aviation Museum, workplaces and homes are being built around the station. The light rail connects the Aerola, Huberila, Annefred and Muura urban villages, making them part of the living urban structure.

Airport

The Ring Rail Line created a direct train connection to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. An estimated 12,000 train passengers travel to the airport every weekday. The significance of the rail connection when setting out for the world is undeniable.

Leinelä

With the Ring Rail Line, the rocky landscape of Koivukylä saw the rise of Leinelä’s colorful and modern apartment building area, which is now home to nearly 1,500 households. The goal of the new residential area was to combine everyday life, art and nature, all a stone’s throw away from the city’s services.

A convenience store, daycare center and other services that make everyday life easier have been built near the station. What cannot be found next door is easy to reach by train or bus. From Leinelä station, it is easy to get to work, hobbies and other activities.

Although the station region has changed the landscape, the area has not lost its closeness to nature. It is easy to walk from the train to the Simonkylänpuisto jogging track or the peaceful Rekolanmetsä forest.